Quarterfinals: Michael Turian vs. Gabe Walls

Toby Wachter

Mike Turian was last in the Top 8 of Nationals three years ago, where he came just short of making the National team. Today he has a second chance, but unfortunately, he's against the perceived winner. Despite being the least accomplished player in the Top 8, Gabe Walls is favored to go home with the Championship trophy this weekend, because his Astral Slide deck is the perfect foil for all the creature decks in the Top 8. Particularly, Walls' side of the bracket is loaded with red/green decks, which is a great matchup for Slide. Turian, of course, is running red/green himself.

Game 1

Turian had no first or second turn play, getting a whistle of surprise out of Walls. Astral Slide came down on turn three, and Turian played his first creature of the game in Phantom Centaur. Walls played a face-down Exalted Angel, and cycled a land to put it under Astral Slide. The Centaur attacked for five damage, and was joined by a second Centaur. The Angel came back into play and got to work in the Red Zone, and Walls played Teroh's Faithful. Both Centaurs attacked and were not blocked to deal ten damage, and Volcanic Hammer targeted Exalted Angel.

Turian summoned Basking Rootwalla, and on end step, Violent Eruption looked to finish the job. It was the only play Turian could make since Walls only had one green mana untapped, but Walls had the Tranquil Thicket to cycle and save his Angel with Astral Slide. At this point, despite Turian's best efforts, the Slide, Angel and Faithful were too much to handle, and Walls easily took the first game.

A second Wrath once again cleared the board except for an elephant, which attacked and was joined by another when the Call was flashed back. Walls played a face-down Angel, and cast a second Moment's Peace out of his hand. The Angel flipped over and attacked, giving Turian a moment of opportunity when Walls couldn't flash back a Moment's Peace. The attack brought Walls to five, but Turian didn't have the burn he needed to finish the job. Walls played Astral Slide, which Turian Naturalized on end step, and Walls responded by cycling Renewed Faith and killing a token. Turian cast another Call, and Walls tapped six to play a second Angel, taking the second game.